Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Lake Helen
Sent
Wed, Oct 9 @ 6pm
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued October 9 at 5:57PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
HLSMLB
This product covers East Central Florida
**A RARE AND HISTORIC EVENT UNFOLDING ACROSS PARTS OF EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA**
**MILTON IS FORECAST TO BRING DEVASTATING AND LIFE-THREATENING IMPACTS
FROM HURRICANE WINDS AND HIGH TO EXTREME FLOODING RAINFALL**
**TORNADO RISK CONTINUES ACROSS EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Coastal Volusia, Northern Brevard Barrier Islands, and Southern
Brevard Barrier Islands
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Coastal Indian River,
Coastal Saint Lucie, Inland Indian River, Inland Northern
Brevard, Inland Saint Lucie, Inland Southern Brevard, Inland
Volusia, Mainland Northern Brevard, Mainland Southern Brevard,
Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and
Southern Lake
- A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
Coastal Martin and Inland Martin
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 170 miles southwest of Orlando FL
- 26.9N 83.4W
- Storm Intensity 120 mph
- Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 17 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
As of 5 PM, Major Hurricane Milton was located in the southeastern
Gulf of Mexico about 60 miles west southwest of Sarasota, or about
185 miles west southwest of Melbourne, Florida. Milton remains a
dangerous and powerful hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120
mph, and was moving northeast at 17 mph toward the coast of west
central Florida.
Milton is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane along the
west central Florida coast late this evening, and then cross central
Florida while maintaining hurricane strength. It will then exit
offshore the east central Florida coast Thursday morning. Milton will
bring the threat of damaging hurricane winds and gusts, as well as
significant flood and flash flood waters. The threat to life is high!
This is particularly true in vicinity of the Interstate 4 corridor,
and along and to the north of Milton's track.
If you are vulnerable to high winds and flood waters, the time to move
to safe shelter is now! Conditions will become more dangerous tonight
and Thursday as the local impact phase gets more fully underway.
People should not go through this storm alone, nor should they risk
their life or the lives of others.
Hurricane Warnings remain in effect for all of east central Florida,
except Martin county, where a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm
Warning are in effect. Actions should be taken to protect against
damaging hurricane winds and gusts. Large areas will likely experience
significant power outages and communications failures.
A Flood Watch is in effect for all east central Florida counties.
Rainfall between 6 to 12 inches is forecast, with a swath of 12 to
15 inches possible in vicinity of the I-4 corridor. Water rescues may
be needed in the hardest hit locations. Farther south, the forecast
calls for 4 to 6 inches of rain.
Flooding rainfall will also cause rapid rises on area creeks and
streams. The Saint Johns River at Astor is forecast to rise quickly to
Major Flood Stage by Thursday morning with a historical crest near
Record Flood. Additional locations upstream on the Saint Johns are
also likely to experience rises to at least Minor or Moderate flood
stage through Saturday, and possibly reaching major flood levels at
DeLand and Geneva by Sunday.
A Tornado Watch is also in effect for all of east central Florida
through 9pm and may be reissued for portions of the area into the
overnight. Listen for any Tornado Warnings in your area. A few
tornadoes will be strong and produce very significant damage! Within
your home or shelter, know where the safest place is during a tornado
warning.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for all Brevard Barrier Islands and
Coastal Volusia County where coastal flood waters of 3 to 5 feet are
possible. Significant beach and dune erosion is likely. Heights up to
3 feet will be possible along the Treasure Coast.
Always heed the advice of local officials!
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts along and south of the I-4 corridor, to Okeechobee and Saint
Lucie counties. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible significant
impacts across the remainder of east-central Florida.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across areas north of a Kissimmee to Titusville
line. Potential impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain
areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing
susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control
systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
or washed out.
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across the remainder of east central
Florida.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having
possible extensive impacts across much of east central Florida.
Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of
immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy
buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak
foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees
twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles
lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed.
Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll.
* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the immediate Volusia and Brevard County coastlines.
Potential impacts in this area include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
numerous rip currents.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.
Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.
If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.
Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for
weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away
from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital
contact information with others.
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Melbourne FL around 12 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
This notification was posted by City of Lake Helen. City of Lake Helen is solely responsible for this notification and unless specifically indicated, no other community or individual utilizing Savvy Citizen is sponsoring, responsible for, or endorsing this notification.
